Alpha Psi Lambda
Encyclopedia
Alpha Psi Lambda Fraternity (ΑΨΛ), is a co-educational
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...

, Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...

-oriented Greek letter
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...


intercollegiate fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...

. It was the first such organization for Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...

 college students in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It has 21 chapters; the national headquarters is based in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

.

History

Alpha Psi Lambda was founded on February 11, 1985 on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...

.

In Columbus, Ohio, in May 1984 a group of undergraduate students led by Dr. Josue Cruz, Assistant Vice Provost to the Office of Minority Affairs, set out to research the country for other Latino Greek lettered organizations and learn how to begin a fraternity at The Ohio State University.

On March 10, 1985 at The Ohio State University, thirteen men and women were officially initiated into Alpha Psi Lambda. These individuals set the foundation for what is the nation's first and now largest co-ed Latino fraternity. The thirteen founders were Annette Saldivar, Annette Seda, Carolyn Christian, Clara Isern, Diana Acevedo, James Cordero, Juan Casimiro, Juan Vera, Marisol Lugo, Nancy Romo, Saddy Rivera, Tammy Harris, and Yolanda Natal.

Alpha Psi Lambda was the first Latino-based fraternity established at a Big Ten school. It is a founding member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 19 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998...

 (NALFO).

Important Dates

May 18, 1984
Several students attending a Hispanic leadership retreat noted a need for Latino organizations at The Ohio State University. An exploratory group, led by Dr. Josue Cruz, Assistant Vice Provost to the Office of Minority Affairs, was formed to research possible fraternities and sororities. After reviewing their findings, the group decided to start a new Latino Greek organization.

February 11, 1985 -
Alpha Psi Lambda was established at The Ohio State University.

March 10, 1985 -
Thirteen individuals were officially initiated as the founders of Alpha Psi Lambda.

September 25, 1992 -
Alpha Psi Lambda was officially recognized as a National organization.

2003
Alpha Psi Lambda created the International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Gender Activism, asking other sororities and fraternities to join them in combatting violence against women.

Today -
Alpha Psi Lambda has grown to include twenty-one chapters with over 1800 members.

Purposes and Mission

The 8 purposes of Alpha Psi Lambda are:
  1. Serve the University, campus, and community.
  2. Bring forth on a scholastic level, Hispanics and others at the University on the basis of friendship.
  3. Provide a supplementary educational, social, and cultural experience for the mutual cultivation of its members.
  4. Advocate for the needs and concerns of the Latino students.
  5. Promote a basis for the diversity of the Latino cultures.
  6. Enhance the educational experience through social and cultural activities, and assist in the development of members' leadership abilities.
  7. Promote inter-Fraternity relations.
  8. Foster positive relations between the Greek system, University, college, and the outside community.


The mission of Alpha Psi Lambda is:

To promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness, and community service.

Chapters of Alpha Psi Lambda

  • Alpha- 1985- The Ohio State University
  • Beta- 1988- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...

  • Gamma- 1989- Northern Illinois University
    Northern Illinois University
    Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...

  • Delta- 1991- Southern Methodist University
    Southern Methodist University
    Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...

  • Epsilon- 1991- Purdue University-Calumet
  • Zeta- 1993- University of Illinois at Chicago
    University of Illinois at Chicago
    The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...

  • Eta- 1996- Ohio University
    Ohio University
    Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...

  • Theta- 1996- University of Cincinnati
    University of Cincinnati
    The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....

  • Iota- 1996- DePaul University
    DePaul University
    DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...

  • Kappa- 1997- Kent State University
    Kent State University
    Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...

  • Lambda- 1998- Illinois State University
    Illinois State University
    Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...

  • Mu- 1999- University of Houston
    University of Houston
    The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...

  • Nu- 2001- University of Toledo
    University of Toledo
    The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...

  • Xi- 2001- Loyola University Chicago
    Loyola University Chicago
    Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...

  • Omicron- 2003- Texas A&M International University
    Texas A&M International University
    Texas A&M International University, often referred to as TAMIU, is a public, co-educational, state-supported university located in Laredo, Texas...

  • Pi- 2003- Texas State University
  • Rho- 2005- Northeastern Illinois University
    Northeastern Illinois University
    Northeastern Illinois University is a public state university located in Chicago, Illinois. The main campus is located in the community area of North Park with three additional campuses in the metropolitan area. Tracing its founding to 1867, it was first established as a separate branch of a...

  • Sigma- 2005- University of Texas
  • Tau- 2006- Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University
    Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...

  • Upsilon- 2006 Florida Atlantic University
    Florida Atlantic University
    Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...

  • Phi- 2009 Prairie View A&M University
    Prairie View A&M University
    Prairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...


External Links

Alpha Psi Lambda National Website
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